CA1313098C - Ultrasonic pocket atomizer - Google Patents
Ultrasonic pocket atomizerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1313098C CA1313098C CA000543968A CA543968A CA1313098C CA 1313098 C CA1313098 C CA 1313098C CA 000543968 A CA000543968 A CA 000543968A CA 543968 A CA543968 A CA 543968A CA 1313098 C CA1313098 C CA 1313098C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- atomizer
- cartridge
- housing
- electronic circuit
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
- B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
- B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
- B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
- B05B17/0623—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers coupled with a vibrating horn
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure An ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer comprises a housing including a first portion and a second portion detachably con-nected thereto. A vibration generation mechanism is mounted liquid-tight in the first portion of the housing for generating an oscillation with a frequency between 1 and 5 Mhz. The vibra-tion generation mechanism includes a plezoelectric assembly and an electronic circuit operatively connected to the assembly for energizing the assembly and causing the assembly to vibrate.
power source including a storage battery is removably and rechargeably disposed in the first portion of the housing for supplying electric current to the electronic circuit. A
cartridge is provided for containing liquid to be atomized, the cartridge being movably disposed in the second portion of the housing. An activation mechanism is provided for automatically activating the electronic circuit upon motion of the movable sec-tion of the cartridge, the activation mechanism including a mag-net attached to the movable section of the cartridge so as to move therewith. The activation mechanism further includes a switch operatively connected to the electronic circuit and operable by the magnet upon a shift in the position thereof dur-ing motion of the movable section of the cartridge.
power source including a storage battery is removably and rechargeably disposed in the first portion of the housing for supplying electric current to the electronic circuit. A
cartridge is provided for containing liquid to be atomized, the cartridge being movably disposed in the second portion of the housing. An activation mechanism is provided for automatically activating the electronic circuit upon motion of the movable sec-tion of the cartridge, the activation mechanism including a mag-net attached to the movable section of the cartridge so as to move therewith. The activation mechanism further includes a switch operatively connected to the electronic circuit and operable by the magnet upon a shift in the position thereof dur-ing motion of the movable section of the cartridge.
Description
ULTRASONIC POCKET ATOMIZER
Back~round of the Invention This invention relate~ to an ultrasonic pocket-si~e atomi~r. mora particularly, thlY invention relate~ to quch an atomizer which is especially u~eful for atomizing medication for asthma sufferers.
For many medications, lt i~ frequently beneficial to have the patlent inhale the active in~rediant~. ThiQ method of treatment i~ especially applicable to the treatment of bronchial allments. For such treatment, many manually operable spraying and inJection ~uns and mechanical hand atomizers are available on the market. Gun~ and hand atomlzers, however, do not generate particularly fin~ distributlons and r~quire a large amount o~
power. In addition, the distributions produced are not ho~ogenous. Disadvantages of applying a medication with a ~praying gun or aerosol can (doslng aerosols) include the ab~orp-tion of heat from the patient (cold stimulation~, harmful secondary ef~ect3 of the propulsion ~asss, and the difficulties in coordinating th~ operation of the spray can and the inhalation I
o~ the medication owing to the very high velocity of the aerosol. ¦
The~e con.~ideration~ apply particularly to th~ treatment of bron-chial passa~
As disclo~ed in German patent 20 32 433, ultrasonic devices wlth plezoelectric vibratlon systems can be used for the atomization of liguid~. Such ultra~onic devices can achieve large vibration amplitude3 with relatlvely s~all amounts of elec- !
tric energy and are supposed to g0nerate very fine droplets with a relatively homogenous distrlbution of particle 3ize. German patent 22 39 950 disclo3es the u~e of a plezoel~ctric vibration ~y3tem, employing an electrlc excitatlon clrcult, ln a hand-held and -operated design.
German Ausleqeschrlft 25 37 765 relate~ to medical inhalation equipment wlth a pie~oelectric vlbration system for traating lllne~ses of the bronchial passage~. The plezoelectrlc z 1313098 vibration ~y~tem i8 dispo~ed, together with low-voltage excita-tion electronics, in a liquid-tight housiny, a sound transmitter being disposed on a vibration node line.
Presently known ultrasonic devices for the treatment of bronchial i11ncsses do not yet meet requirements a~ to dimen-sions, weight, ener~y consumption, and the di~tribution of droplet sixes, a8 well as accurate dosing of the medication.
Conventional dosing aerosols operate w1th a ga~ propel-lant, which i9 undesirable. Inhalators are al80 known in which capsule~ are filled wlth medlaine powder e~ected via an air transport ~trea~. Such inhalator~ cannot be ~illed with ~overal lndividual doses. A further disadvantage of do~ing aerosols operating wlth ~a~ propellants in that a certain portion of th~
medlcine partlcles do not enter the lungs but in~tead e~ter the ~ophagu~, for example. Mechanical hand-operated atomlzers have the particular disadvantage that a large amount of power i8 required for operating the pumping bulb. Moreover, preservative~
are frequently added to the medlcation.
An ob~ct o~ the prosent invention i~ to pr~ovide an improved hand-hel~ or pocket atomizer.
Anoth~r ob~ect of tho pre~ent invention is to provide an atomizer for generating an aerosol suspension ln which at ~1 lsaYt 50% o~ the aero~ol droplet~ produced have a diameter oP
le88 than 20 ~m whlle the ma~ority of the dropl~ts have a diameter in the ran~o o~ 1 to 5 ~m. With such.particle sizes, the active ingredient of the aero~ol can be effectiv~ in the tracheo-bronchial tract.
Furth~r ob~ects of the present invention are to provide ~uch an atomlzer in which atomizatlon occurs with a gas propel-lant and with accurate dosing.
Yet another ob~ect o~ the present invention i8 to pro-vide such an atomizer in which heat is not absorbed from ti3~ue sur~ace~ to which the atomized treatment ~edium i8 applied.
,, ~
. , I .
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an atomizer in which the aerosol has little or no exit velocity.
Su~mary of the Invention The invention provides an ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer comprising: a first housing; vibration generation means mounted liquid-tight in said first housing for generating an oscillation with a frequency in the ultrasonic range said vibration generation means including a piezoelectric assembly and electronic circuit means operatively connected to said assembly for energizing said assembly and causing the piezoelectric assembly to vibrate; power source means disposed in said first housing for supplying electric current to said electronic circuit means; a second housing, removably mounted on said first housing; a cartridge containing liquid to be atomized, said cartridge having at least one section movably disposed in said second housing; and activation means for automatically activating said electronic circuit means upon motion of said section of said cartridge, said activation means including a magnet arranged and configured relative to said section of said cartridge so as to move therewith, said activation means further including a switch operatively connected to said electronic circuit means and operable by said magnet upon a shift in the position thereof during motion of said section of said cartridge.
An ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention enables an application of atomized substances with little noise, without cold stimulation and without the use of a gas propellant. The substance to be atomized can be dosed or measured out prior to atomization with an accuracy oE greater than 95~. Such 3a 20365-2741 accuracy is particularly important in ~edical applications. An atomizer in accordance with the present inven-tion generates an aerosol capable of suspension with a ~3 .
~ 1 31 3098 ma~ority of the aero~ol particles generated having a diameter of les3 than 20 ~m. Moreover, the active lngredients are effective in the tracheo-bronchial tract. An atomizer ln accordance with ¦
the present invention i~ light weight, operable independently of po8it$0n or orientation, very handy and easily transportable.
Re~lling i8 accompli3hed simply by th~ exchange of cartridges.
The storage batt~ry i8 easily removable and rechargeable.
Pursuant to further partlcular ~eatures of the present lnvention, th~ first portion o~ the housing 18 re~ovably attach~d to the second portion via a snap-in detent lock, and tho plezoelectric ass~mbly i8 mounted to th~ first portion by sillcone rubber or 18 partlally surrounded and attached to the first portion by in~ection molded synthetic re~in materlal. In addition, the piezoelectric assembly 18 advantageou~ly sealed by 0-rlng~.
Pursuant to yet further features of the present inven-tion, the ~econd portion of the housing i~ provided with a window I
and an alert or alarm ~ignal generator i8 operatively connected to the electronic circuit and the storage battery for generatlng a detectable sl~nal indicatlng that the storage battery needs to bo rechargQd. Pr~ferably, the the alert signal ~enerator include~ a light emitting d~ode.
Brlef Description of the ~rawln~
Fl~ a partlally schematic vertic~l cross-sectional view o~ an atomizer in accordance wlth the present inv~ntion, showing a piezoelectric vlbration ~y~tem.
Flg. 2 1~ a partially schematic vertlcal cross-sQctional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 i9 i9 a side elevational vlew, partially ln cross-~ection and on an enlarg~d ~cale, of a piozoelectrlc vibra-tlon ~y3tem shown in Fig. 1~
~ 13130q8 ~ta l d De3cription A8 illu~trated in the drawlny ~igure~, an ultrasonic pocket atomlzer in accordance with the present invention com prlse~ a piezoelectrlc v1bration system 1 ha~ing an operating frequency betweon 1 and 5 MHz. The pie~oelectric vibration system i8 dispo~ed liquid-tight in a lower portion 13 of a hous-ing consisting of a synthetic resin ~uch as acrylnitril butadiene-styrRne coppolymers (ABS). The seal with respect to tha mountin~ of piezoelectric vlbration 9y9tem 1 i8 achieved by embedding the system in a ca9t or in~ection molded synthetic resin material 2 such as sillcone rubber. Alternatively, or additionally, th~ piezoelectrlc vibration ~ystem i~ mounted to lower housing portion 13 by 0-rings 28.
Piezoelectric vibration system 1 i8 exclted by an elec-tronic circuit 3 to ultrasonic vibrations in the MHz range and atomizes a li~uid medication 5 depo~ited on the vibration sy~tem by a cartridge ~.
Electronlc circuit 3 i~ supplied with electric energy via a r~char~eable storage battery 6. Stora~e battery 6 18 pro- ¦
vided wlth parallel contacts or terminals ~ ~or enabling recharg-ing o~ the batt~ry. The ~torage battery i8 pre~rably encased in a hou~ing component 8 ~lldably mounted to lower housing portlon 13 ~or ~acilitating removal o~ tho battery and replacement thereo~ exemplar~ily to have th~ battery recharged while another ~torage battery i8 being used in the atomizor.
Dosin~ cartridge 4 i~ initially ~illed with a liquid medlcation and i~ movably mounted to an upper housing portion 9 Upon application of manual pressure to a button 10, cartridge 4 moves towards piezoelectric vibration ~ystem 1. Simultaneously wlth the motion o~ cartrldge 4, a magnet 11 attache~ to the cartridge closes a magnetlc ~witch 12 attached to and enca~ed in lower housing portion 13. Magnet 11 and ~witch 12 make it pO5i-ll l l l sible to separate lower hou~ing portion 13 from upper housing portion 9 in a liquld-tight manner.
Switch 12 is operatively connected to electronic cir-cuit 3 so that a closing of switch 12 by the motion of magnet 11 activates the electronic circuit which then, upon the lapse of a predetermined time interval, ~upplles piezoelectric vibration system 1 with ~xcitation ener~y. The predetermin~d time interval i8 suf~iciently long to allow the completion of an ln~ection stroke by cartridg~ 4 depositin~ an aliquot of llquid medication 5 ln an atomization chamber 17 on or about an atomizer dlsk 24 of plazoelectric vibration 8y8tom 1.
Upon the closing of switch 12 by magnet 11 and con-tlnued motion of cartridge 4 in the direction of plezoelectric ~ibratlon system 1, an Qnlarged portlon or body of cartr~dge 4 contacts a wall 14 and a pla~tic sprin~ element 15 attached to the wall. I~asmuch a~ the resistance of sprin~ element 15 is smaller that the resl~tance o~ a spring 21 lncorporated in cartridge 4, the cartrldge becomes compressed by manual pre~sure continued to be appli~d by an operator with the result that a plston tnot illu3trated) mounted in~ide cartridge 4 moves a predet~rmined distancQ towards atomiz~r disk ~4 and theraby pro-duces an accurate do8~ or droplet of m~dication which i8 I~ deposited onto atomlæ~r dlsk 24 throu~h a amall tube 55 fixed to the cartridg~. Upon release of button 10 by the operator, the~ntire cartridg~ 4 r~turns to its rest po~ition in response to a r~storing force exerted by 3pr$ng 15, while the plston (not shown) i~ r~turned to its re3t position within cartridge 4 by ~prin~ 21. The medioatlon 5 expclled at the tip of cartrldge 4 i~ wiped o~ at ato~lzer disk 24 upon return o~ cartrldge 4 to lts re3t position and ifi then atomized by the atomizer di~k.
Pla~tic ~prlng 15 i~ movable between the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and atomlzor disk 24 but does not contact dl~k 24. Liquid i8 depo~ited on di~k 24 through tube 55 ~rom a -` 1 3 1 3098 ~ 0365-~741 reservoir located be~ween bu~ton lO and spriny 21. Sprin~ 2l is locat.ed between the :Li~uid carrying porti.on of car-tridge 4 and wall 14.
In an alternative embodi.ment of the invention, magnet ll and switch 12 may be 50 arranged that switch 12 is actuated by magnet ll only upon ~he engagement of wa].l 14 by cartridge 4.
Aerosol particles generated during the atomization process can be stored in a suction stub 19 and then breathed in by a user. Openings 18 in wa:Ll 14 are provided to replenish the air removed from suction stub l9 by the inhalation.
Suction stub l9 is advantageously provided with ~ contour matchec1 to the mouth of a user so that the suc~ion stub can be easily surrounded in an air-tight fit during use. The stub can terminate flush with one edge of the housing and the dimensions of the :inhalator or atomizer can be maintained at a minimum.
For hy~ienic reasons, suction stub l9 should be closed after the inhalation process. To this end, a cover is advantageously fastened to an upper part of the atomizer, e.g., to upper housing portion 9, via a plastic film hinge 22.
Inasmuch as upper housing portion 9 can be produced inexpensively and removed easily from lower housing portion 13, hygiene can be enhanced by discarding the upper housing portion after the associated medication cartridge has been emptied.
The lower housing portion is then provided with a new upper housing portion having a full medication cartridye 4.
To enable a user to ltnow how much medication is stored in cartridge 4 after several uses, a transparent plas~ic window 23 is advan-tageously provided in upper housing portion 9. The window enables direct observation of the liquid level in cartridge 4.
, . . . . .
~3~3098 ~0365-2741 Because the effective lifetime of storage battery 6 is differen~ from the useful life of cartridge 4, a signal generator 25 preferabl~l in the :Eorm of a light emitting diode is opera-7a tively connected to electronic circuit 3 and concomitantly tostorage battery 6 for indicatlng that the char~e of the battery has fallen below a predetermined level. Accordingly, the failure of diode 25 to generate light upon an lnitial energization of electronic circuit 3 will indicate to a u3er that storage battery 6 must be recharged 800n. Generally, the energy content of the stora~e battery i8 S0 large that even upon the failure of the diode signal, further atomizatlon and appl1cation o~ medicatlon is possible.
An atomizer in accordance with the present ~nvention iR
provided with rounded contour~ at least in part ~or facilitating the d~position of th~ atomizer in a stora~e location by the u~er.
Moreover, a storage container (not illustratQd~ ~or the atomi~er can be dssigned for enabling recharging o~ the battery during storage o~ the atomizer. A preferred po~ition and orientation of the atomizer in the storage contalner can be ~pecified to account for the assymmetrical location of contact~
Upper housing portion g i8 advantageously connected to lower housin~ portion 13 by a snap-in detent lock 16.
Althou~h an atomlzer in acoordance wlth the pre3ent invention i8 partlcularly u8~Ul ~or the treatment o~ asth~a, the , atomlzer can additlonally be uced as a room or body sprayin~ ¦
devlce or as an air humidlfier.
As illustrated in detail in F1~. 3, a piezoelectric vib~ation system 1 in a pocket-slze atomizer in accordance with the present invention advantageously comprlses a piezoceramic disk 31 adhesivcly bonded to an amplitude trans~ormer ele~ent 32 of CrNi steel. The plezoelectric vibratlon system ha~ a substan-tially contcal shape with a neutral zone 39 ln which mechanical dampln~ does not b~come apparent by lmpedance variation. ~n upper portion o~ amplltude transformer element 32, taperlng to a neck 38, bears a concave mirror member 33 o~ V2A (stainless) steel havin~ a thickness denoted by re.ference numeral 44. Con- '.
cave mirrox member 33 has a cavity 34 in which liquid 35 to b~
atomized, exemplarily, bronchospasmalytics, is to be deposited, The deposited liquid has an outer surface 37.
As depicted in Figure 3, the piezoelectric vibration system has an axis of symme~ry 40 which intersects the surface of concave mirror member 33 at a polnt 42. The surface of member 33 has a focal point 36 and amplltude transformer element 32 has a hei~ht denoted by reference numeral 43.
t 3 ~ 3098 ~0365-27~1 SUPPI.EMENTARY DISCLOSURE
The exemplified embodiment of Fi~ures 4 and 5 illustrates an ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer 30, which is a modi.fied version of the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer is composed of a plastic housing 32 with an upper housing portion 3~ and a lower housing portion 35, which is exactly the same as the ultrasonic poc~et-size atomizer 26 shown in Figures ~ and 2. The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are connected to each other by means of a hinge 29. The vibration system is the same, as the one already depicted in Figures 1 and 3. However, it is not installed between the O-rings of a llquid-sealing lower housing portion, rat.her it is poured liquid-tight in a plastic substance 40, in the lowex housing portion. The electronic circuit 42 ancl the accumulator unit 44, as well as the switch 46, built in the lower housing portion 36, and a reed eontact, are left unchangecl, and are the same as in the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The design of cartridge 43 differs, however, from the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The magnet is not securecl to the cartridge 48, instead it is supported sliding in the housing base 36 in a groove 50, parallel to the slide-in direction of the cartridge.
In this groove, the magnet 51 is pressed by an auxiliary spring 52 opposite the slide-in di.rection of the cartrid~e, against a limit stop 54. The upper housin~ portion 3~ of the plastic housing 3~ is also designed exactly as portrayed, based on the e~emplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This means that a suction stub 33, which can be closed with a cap 31, is tip-stretched over the vibration system 38, in the upper housing portion 34. The suction stub is separated from the cavity, which accommodates the cartridge ~8~ by a partially open partition 3~. ~ spring mechanism 39 for the cartridge is also l.q `- 1313098 situated in the par-~ition opening 37. hbove the cartridge 48, a ~7indow 41 is built :inr il~ the upper housincl portion.
The cartridge ~8 i~self consists of a cylindrical housing 5G, provided ~/i.th a limit stop 54, a pressure hull 60, which can be pressed into this housing, gulded in the cylindrical housing, opposite the lorce of a spring 58, built i.n the cylindrical housing, and of a spray pipe 62, attached to the front side, in the slide-in dixection, of the cylindrical housing 56. Inside the cylindrical housing 56, an ejector cylinder 64 for the liquid medication 5, which is connected in series to the spray pipe 62, is provided concentrically to the spray pipe. The pressure hull 60 has a transparent ctesign and is formed as a container for the liquid medication 5. It supports a guide tube 66 on its extremity, which extends into the cylindrical hull of the cartridge. This guide tube fits onto the e~ector cylinder 64 and abuts, liquid-tight, a lip seal of the ejector cylinder. ~n ejecting piston 68, which can extend into the ejector cylinder 6~ of the cylindrical housing, is attached in the pressure hull, concentrically to the guicle ~a tube 66 of the pressure hull 60. The rearward end of the pressure hull 60 is closed liquid tight by a control knob 70.
In the interior of the pressure hull, a free-sliding piston ~5 can be recognized, which separates the medication from the control knob 70.
Before the pocket atomizer is put into operation~ the cartridge 48 with the pressure hull 60 is slid into the upper housing portion 34. In the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 4, this takes place from right to left. Thereby, the spray pipe 62 is pushed through the opening of the spring mechanism 39. When the cartridge 48 is slid all the way in, the front end of the cylindrical housing 56 of the cartridge abuts the ~ i., 11 `; "~
spring mechanism 39, as depicted in the Figure. Thereby, at the same time, the limit stop 54 o~ the cylindrical housing 56 o~ the cartridge also abuts the magne~s 51. Now, if the cartridga 48 is pressed into the upper housing portioll 34, by pressinq on the control knob 70, then the spring mechanism 39 is pushed back, and the spray pipe 62 is shifted over the plate 24 of the vibration syste~ 38. At khe same time, the magnet 51 is shifted to the le~t, against the force of the auxiliary spring 52, over the stop boss o~ the cylindrical housing 56 of the cartridge 48, and7 in this manner, arrives above t.he switch 46. This switch is therehy activated, and it switches on the electronics 42 for the vibration s~s~em 38. ~uring the pressing operation, in addition, the ejecting piston 68 of the pressure hull 60 slides into the ejector cylinder 64 and presses the liquid quantity o~ the medication found there through the spray pipe 62 on to the atomizer plate 24 of the vibration system 38, where it is atomized. When the control knob 70 is released, the pressure hull 60 is pushed out of the cylindrical housing 56 of ~he cartridge 48, over the spring 58, whereby, at the same time, the ejectiny piston 68 o~ the pressure hull 60 is also drawn out of the ejector cylinder.
Thereby, the free sliding piston 45 i.n the pressure hull 60 is drawn into the pressure hull by the amount of reduced volume.
Whe~ the control knob 10 of the pressure hull is released, the entire cartridge 48 is again also pushed back by the spring mechanism 39 into its starting position, whereby the stop boss 43 releases the magnets S1. This is then drawn back by its auxiliary spring 52 to its starting position, as shown in Figure 4, and brouyht to the seating position at the limit stop 54. Thereby, the switch 46, respectively the reed contact, is opened, and the electronics 42 are disconnected. The ~ 03~5-2741 prevailing level of the pressure hull 60, which can be recognized, of course, by the position of the piston 4S in the transparent pressure hull 60, can be observed through the winclow 41.
The embodim~nt version of Figures 4 and 5 has the advantaye over ~he embodiment version of Figures 1 and 2, in tha-t the cartridge can be supplied without magnets and, therefore, can be manufactured less expensively. Therefore, it is more likely to be thrown out after use. The specific embc~climent, according to Figures 1 and 2, can be manufactured less expensively, when the cartridges are refilled and used again, because then the return springs, the guide, as well as the limit stop for the magnets can be eliminated.
~0 ;
Back~round of the Invention This invention relate~ to an ultrasonic pocket-si~e atomi~r. mora particularly, thlY invention relate~ to quch an atomizer which is especially u~eful for atomizing medication for asthma sufferers.
For many medications, lt i~ frequently beneficial to have the patlent inhale the active in~rediant~. ThiQ method of treatment i~ especially applicable to the treatment of bronchial allments. For such treatment, many manually operable spraying and inJection ~uns and mechanical hand atomizers are available on the market. Gun~ and hand atomlzers, however, do not generate particularly fin~ distributlons and r~quire a large amount o~
power. In addition, the distributions produced are not ho~ogenous. Disadvantages of applying a medication with a ~praying gun or aerosol can (doslng aerosols) include the ab~orp-tion of heat from the patient (cold stimulation~, harmful secondary ef~ect3 of the propulsion ~asss, and the difficulties in coordinating th~ operation of the spray can and the inhalation I
o~ the medication owing to the very high velocity of the aerosol. ¦
The~e con.~ideration~ apply particularly to th~ treatment of bron-chial passa~
As disclo~ed in German patent 20 32 433, ultrasonic devices wlth plezoelectric vibratlon systems can be used for the atomization of liguid~. Such ultra~onic devices can achieve large vibration amplitude3 with relatlvely s~all amounts of elec- !
tric energy and are supposed to g0nerate very fine droplets with a relatively homogenous distrlbution of particle 3ize. German patent 22 39 950 disclo3es the u~e of a plezoel~ctric vibration ~y3tem, employing an electrlc excitatlon clrcult, ln a hand-held and -operated design.
German Ausleqeschrlft 25 37 765 relate~ to medical inhalation equipment wlth a pie~oelectric vlbration system for traating lllne~ses of the bronchial passage~. The plezoelectrlc z 1313098 vibration ~y~tem i8 dispo~ed, together with low-voltage excita-tion electronics, in a liquid-tight housiny, a sound transmitter being disposed on a vibration node line.
Presently known ultrasonic devices for the treatment of bronchial i11ncsses do not yet meet requirements a~ to dimen-sions, weight, ener~y consumption, and the di~tribution of droplet sixes, a8 well as accurate dosing of the medication.
Conventional dosing aerosols operate w1th a ga~ propel-lant, which i9 undesirable. Inhalators are al80 known in which capsule~ are filled wlth medlaine powder e~ected via an air transport ~trea~. Such inhalator~ cannot be ~illed with ~overal lndividual doses. A further disadvantage of do~ing aerosols operating wlth ~a~ propellants in that a certain portion of th~
medlcine partlcles do not enter the lungs but in~tead e~ter the ~ophagu~, for example. Mechanical hand-operated atomlzers have the particular disadvantage that a large amount of power i8 required for operating the pumping bulb. Moreover, preservative~
are frequently added to the medlcation.
An ob~ct o~ the prosent invention i~ to pr~ovide an improved hand-hel~ or pocket atomizer.
Anoth~r ob~ect of tho pre~ent invention is to provide an atomizer for generating an aerosol suspension ln which at ~1 lsaYt 50% o~ the aero~ol droplet~ produced have a diameter oP
le88 than 20 ~m whlle the ma~ority of the dropl~ts have a diameter in the ran~o o~ 1 to 5 ~m. With such.particle sizes, the active ingredient of the aero~ol can be effectiv~ in the tracheo-bronchial tract.
Furth~r ob~ects of the present invention are to provide ~uch an atomlzer in which atomizatlon occurs with a gas propel-lant and with accurate dosing.
Yet another ob~ect o~ the present invention i8 to pro-vide such an atomizer in which heat is not absorbed from ti3~ue sur~ace~ to which the atomized treatment ~edium i8 applied.
,, ~
. , I .
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an atomizer in which the aerosol has little or no exit velocity.
Su~mary of the Invention The invention provides an ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer comprising: a first housing; vibration generation means mounted liquid-tight in said first housing for generating an oscillation with a frequency in the ultrasonic range said vibration generation means including a piezoelectric assembly and electronic circuit means operatively connected to said assembly for energizing said assembly and causing the piezoelectric assembly to vibrate; power source means disposed in said first housing for supplying electric current to said electronic circuit means; a second housing, removably mounted on said first housing; a cartridge containing liquid to be atomized, said cartridge having at least one section movably disposed in said second housing; and activation means for automatically activating said electronic circuit means upon motion of said section of said cartridge, said activation means including a magnet arranged and configured relative to said section of said cartridge so as to move therewith, said activation means further including a switch operatively connected to said electronic circuit means and operable by said magnet upon a shift in the position thereof during motion of said section of said cartridge.
An ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention enables an application of atomized substances with little noise, without cold stimulation and without the use of a gas propellant. The substance to be atomized can be dosed or measured out prior to atomization with an accuracy oE greater than 95~. Such 3a 20365-2741 accuracy is particularly important in ~edical applications. An atomizer in accordance with the present inven-tion generates an aerosol capable of suspension with a ~3 .
~ 1 31 3098 ma~ority of the aero~ol particles generated having a diameter of les3 than 20 ~m. Moreover, the active lngredients are effective in the tracheo-bronchial tract. An atomizer ln accordance with ¦
the present invention i~ light weight, operable independently of po8it$0n or orientation, very handy and easily transportable.
Re~lling i8 accompli3hed simply by th~ exchange of cartridges.
The storage batt~ry i8 easily removable and rechargeable.
Pursuant to further partlcular ~eatures of the present lnvention, th~ first portion o~ the housing 18 re~ovably attach~d to the second portion via a snap-in detent lock, and tho plezoelectric ass~mbly i8 mounted to th~ first portion by sillcone rubber or 18 partlally surrounded and attached to the first portion by in~ection molded synthetic re~in materlal. In addition, the piezoelectric assembly 18 advantageou~ly sealed by 0-rlng~.
Pursuant to yet further features of the present inven-tion, the ~econd portion of the housing i~ provided with a window I
and an alert or alarm ~ignal generator i8 operatively connected to the electronic circuit and the storage battery for generatlng a detectable sl~nal indicatlng that the storage battery needs to bo rechargQd. Pr~ferably, the the alert signal ~enerator include~ a light emitting d~ode.
Brlef Description of the ~rawln~
Fl~ a partlally schematic vertic~l cross-sectional view o~ an atomizer in accordance wlth the present inv~ntion, showing a piezoelectric vlbration ~y~tem.
Flg. 2 1~ a partially schematic vertlcal cross-sQctional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 i9 i9 a side elevational vlew, partially ln cross-~ection and on an enlarg~d ~cale, of a piozoelectrlc vibra-tlon ~y3tem shown in Fig. 1~
~ 13130q8 ~ta l d De3cription A8 illu~trated in the drawlny ~igure~, an ultrasonic pocket atomlzer in accordance with the present invention com prlse~ a piezoelectrlc v1bration system 1 ha~ing an operating frequency betweon 1 and 5 MHz. The pie~oelectric vibration system i8 dispo~ed liquid-tight in a lower portion 13 of a hous-ing consisting of a synthetic resin ~uch as acrylnitril butadiene-styrRne coppolymers (ABS). The seal with respect to tha mountin~ of piezoelectric vlbration 9y9tem 1 i8 achieved by embedding the system in a ca9t or in~ection molded synthetic resin material 2 such as sillcone rubber. Alternatively, or additionally, th~ piezoelectrlc vibration ~ystem i~ mounted to lower housing portion 13 by 0-rings 28.
Piezoelectric vibration system 1 i8 exclted by an elec-tronic circuit 3 to ultrasonic vibrations in the MHz range and atomizes a li~uid medication 5 depo~ited on the vibration sy~tem by a cartridge ~.
Electronlc circuit 3 i~ supplied with electric energy via a r~char~eable storage battery 6. Stora~e battery 6 18 pro- ¦
vided wlth parallel contacts or terminals ~ ~or enabling recharg-ing o~ the batt~ry. The ~torage battery i8 pre~rably encased in a hou~ing component 8 ~lldably mounted to lower housing portlon 13 ~or ~acilitating removal o~ tho battery and replacement thereo~ exemplar~ily to have th~ battery recharged while another ~torage battery i8 being used in the atomizor.
Dosin~ cartridge 4 i~ initially ~illed with a liquid medlcation and i~ movably mounted to an upper housing portion 9 Upon application of manual pressure to a button 10, cartridge 4 moves towards piezoelectric vibration ~ystem 1. Simultaneously wlth the motion o~ cartrldge 4, a magnet 11 attache~ to the cartridge closes a magnetlc ~witch 12 attached to and enca~ed in lower housing portion 13. Magnet 11 and ~witch 12 make it pO5i-ll l l l sible to separate lower hou~ing portion 13 from upper housing portion 9 in a liquld-tight manner.
Switch 12 is operatively connected to electronic cir-cuit 3 so that a closing of switch 12 by the motion of magnet 11 activates the electronic circuit which then, upon the lapse of a predetermined time interval, ~upplles piezoelectric vibration system 1 with ~xcitation ener~y. The predetermin~d time interval i8 suf~iciently long to allow the completion of an ln~ection stroke by cartridg~ 4 depositin~ an aliquot of llquid medication 5 ln an atomization chamber 17 on or about an atomizer dlsk 24 of plazoelectric vibration 8y8tom 1.
Upon the closing of switch 12 by magnet 11 and con-tlnued motion of cartridge 4 in the direction of plezoelectric ~ibratlon system 1, an Qnlarged portlon or body of cartr~dge 4 contacts a wall 14 and a pla~tic sprin~ element 15 attached to the wall. I~asmuch a~ the resistance of sprin~ element 15 is smaller that the resl~tance o~ a spring 21 lncorporated in cartridge 4, the cartrldge becomes compressed by manual pre~sure continued to be appli~d by an operator with the result that a plston tnot illu3trated) mounted in~ide cartridge 4 moves a predet~rmined distancQ towards atomiz~r disk ~4 and theraby pro-duces an accurate do8~ or droplet of m~dication which i8 I~ deposited onto atomlæ~r dlsk 24 throu~h a amall tube 55 fixed to the cartridg~. Upon release of button 10 by the operator, the~ntire cartridg~ 4 r~turns to its rest po~ition in response to a r~storing force exerted by 3pr$ng 15, while the plston (not shown) i~ r~turned to its re3t position within cartridge 4 by ~prin~ 21. The medioatlon 5 expclled at the tip of cartrldge 4 i~ wiped o~ at ato~lzer disk 24 upon return o~ cartrldge 4 to lts re3t position and ifi then atomized by the atomizer di~k.
Pla~tic ~prlng 15 i~ movable between the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and atomlzor disk 24 but does not contact dl~k 24. Liquid i8 depo~ited on di~k 24 through tube 55 ~rom a -` 1 3 1 3098 ~ 0365-~741 reservoir located be~ween bu~ton lO and spriny 21. Sprin~ 2l is locat.ed between the :Li~uid carrying porti.on of car-tridge 4 and wall 14.
In an alternative embodi.ment of the invention, magnet ll and switch 12 may be 50 arranged that switch 12 is actuated by magnet ll only upon ~he engagement of wa].l 14 by cartridge 4.
Aerosol particles generated during the atomization process can be stored in a suction stub 19 and then breathed in by a user. Openings 18 in wa:Ll 14 are provided to replenish the air removed from suction stub l9 by the inhalation.
Suction stub l9 is advantageously provided with ~ contour matchec1 to the mouth of a user so that the suc~ion stub can be easily surrounded in an air-tight fit during use. The stub can terminate flush with one edge of the housing and the dimensions of the :inhalator or atomizer can be maintained at a minimum.
For hy~ienic reasons, suction stub l9 should be closed after the inhalation process. To this end, a cover is advantageously fastened to an upper part of the atomizer, e.g., to upper housing portion 9, via a plastic film hinge 22.
Inasmuch as upper housing portion 9 can be produced inexpensively and removed easily from lower housing portion 13, hygiene can be enhanced by discarding the upper housing portion after the associated medication cartridge has been emptied.
The lower housing portion is then provided with a new upper housing portion having a full medication cartridye 4.
To enable a user to ltnow how much medication is stored in cartridge 4 after several uses, a transparent plas~ic window 23 is advan-tageously provided in upper housing portion 9. The window enables direct observation of the liquid level in cartridge 4.
, . . . . .
~3~3098 ~0365-2741 Because the effective lifetime of storage battery 6 is differen~ from the useful life of cartridge 4, a signal generator 25 preferabl~l in the :Eorm of a light emitting diode is opera-7a tively connected to electronic circuit 3 and concomitantly tostorage battery 6 for indicatlng that the char~e of the battery has fallen below a predetermined level. Accordingly, the failure of diode 25 to generate light upon an lnitial energization of electronic circuit 3 will indicate to a u3er that storage battery 6 must be recharged 800n. Generally, the energy content of the stora~e battery i8 S0 large that even upon the failure of the diode signal, further atomizatlon and appl1cation o~ medicatlon is possible.
An atomizer in accordance with the present ~nvention iR
provided with rounded contour~ at least in part ~or facilitating the d~position of th~ atomizer in a stora~e location by the u~er.
Moreover, a storage container (not illustratQd~ ~or the atomi~er can be dssigned for enabling recharging o~ the battery during storage o~ the atomizer. A preferred po~ition and orientation of the atomizer in the storage contalner can be ~pecified to account for the assymmetrical location of contact~
Upper housing portion g i8 advantageously connected to lower housin~ portion 13 by a snap-in detent lock 16.
Althou~h an atomlzer in acoordance wlth the pre3ent invention i8 partlcularly u8~Ul ~or the treatment o~ asth~a, the , atomlzer can additlonally be uced as a room or body sprayin~ ¦
devlce or as an air humidlfier.
As illustrated in detail in F1~. 3, a piezoelectric vib~ation system 1 in a pocket-slze atomizer in accordance with the present invention advantageously comprlses a piezoceramic disk 31 adhesivcly bonded to an amplitude trans~ormer ele~ent 32 of CrNi steel. The plezoelectric vibratlon system ha~ a substan-tially contcal shape with a neutral zone 39 ln which mechanical dampln~ does not b~come apparent by lmpedance variation. ~n upper portion o~ amplltude transformer element 32, taperlng to a neck 38, bears a concave mirror member 33 o~ V2A (stainless) steel havin~ a thickness denoted by re.ference numeral 44. Con- '.
cave mirrox member 33 has a cavity 34 in which liquid 35 to b~
atomized, exemplarily, bronchospasmalytics, is to be deposited, The deposited liquid has an outer surface 37.
As depicted in Figure 3, the piezoelectric vibration system has an axis of symme~ry 40 which intersects the surface of concave mirror member 33 at a polnt 42. The surface of member 33 has a focal point 36 and amplltude transformer element 32 has a hei~ht denoted by reference numeral 43.
t 3 ~ 3098 ~0365-27~1 SUPPI.EMENTARY DISCLOSURE
The exemplified embodiment of Fi~ures 4 and 5 illustrates an ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer 30, which is a modi.fied version of the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer is composed of a plastic housing 32 with an upper housing portion 3~ and a lower housing portion 35, which is exactly the same as the ultrasonic poc~et-size atomizer 26 shown in Figures ~ and 2. The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are connected to each other by means of a hinge 29. The vibration system is the same, as the one already depicted in Figures 1 and 3. However, it is not installed between the O-rings of a llquid-sealing lower housing portion, rat.her it is poured liquid-tight in a plastic substance 40, in the lowex housing portion. The electronic circuit 42 ancl the accumulator unit 44, as well as the switch 46, built in the lower housing portion 36, and a reed eontact, are left unchangecl, and are the same as in the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The design of cartridge 43 differs, however, from the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The magnet is not securecl to the cartridge 48, instead it is supported sliding in the housing base 36 in a groove 50, parallel to the slide-in direction of the cartridge.
In this groove, the magnet 51 is pressed by an auxiliary spring 52 opposite the slide-in di.rection of the cartrid~e, against a limit stop 54. The upper housin~ portion 3~ of the plastic housing 3~ is also designed exactly as portrayed, based on the e~emplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This means that a suction stub 33, which can be closed with a cap 31, is tip-stretched over the vibration system 38, in the upper housing portion 34. The suction stub is separated from the cavity, which accommodates the cartridge ~8~ by a partially open partition 3~. ~ spring mechanism 39 for the cartridge is also l.q `- 1313098 situated in the par-~ition opening 37. hbove the cartridge 48, a ~7indow 41 is built :inr il~ the upper housincl portion.
The cartridge ~8 i~self consists of a cylindrical housing 5G, provided ~/i.th a limit stop 54, a pressure hull 60, which can be pressed into this housing, gulded in the cylindrical housing, opposite the lorce of a spring 58, built i.n the cylindrical housing, and of a spray pipe 62, attached to the front side, in the slide-in dixection, of the cylindrical housing 56. Inside the cylindrical housing 56, an ejector cylinder 64 for the liquid medication 5, which is connected in series to the spray pipe 62, is provided concentrically to the spray pipe. The pressure hull 60 has a transparent ctesign and is formed as a container for the liquid medication 5. It supports a guide tube 66 on its extremity, which extends into the cylindrical hull of the cartridge. This guide tube fits onto the e~ector cylinder 64 and abuts, liquid-tight, a lip seal of the ejector cylinder. ~n ejecting piston 68, which can extend into the ejector cylinder 6~ of the cylindrical housing, is attached in the pressure hull, concentrically to the guicle ~a tube 66 of the pressure hull 60. The rearward end of the pressure hull 60 is closed liquid tight by a control knob 70.
In the interior of the pressure hull, a free-sliding piston ~5 can be recognized, which separates the medication from the control knob 70.
Before the pocket atomizer is put into operation~ the cartridge 48 with the pressure hull 60 is slid into the upper housing portion 34. In the exemplified embodiment of Figures 1 and 4, this takes place from right to left. Thereby, the spray pipe 62 is pushed through the opening of the spring mechanism 39. When the cartridge 48 is slid all the way in, the front end of the cylindrical housing 56 of the cartridge abuts the ~ i., 11 `; "~
spring mechanism 39, as depicted in the Figure. Thereby, at the same time, the limit stop 54 o~ the cylindrical housing 56 o~ the cartridge also abuts the magne~s 51. Now, if the cartridga 48 is pressed into the upper housing portioll 34, by pressinq on the control knob 70, then the spring mechanism 39 is pushed back, and the spray pipe 62 is shifted over the plate 24 of the vibration syste~ 38. At khe same time, the magnet 51 is shifted to the le~t, against the force of the auxiliary spring 52, over the stop boss o~ the cylindrical housing 56 of the cartridge 48, and7 in this manner, arrives above t.he switch 46. This switch is therehy activated, and it switches on the electronics 42 for the vibration s~s~em 38. ~uring the pressing operation, in addition, the ejecting piston 68 of the pressure hull 60 slides into the ejector cylinder 64 and presses the liquid quantity o~ the medication found there through the spray pipe 62 on to the atomizer plate 24 of the vibration system 38, where it is atomized. When the control knob 70 is released, the pressure hull 60 is pushed out of the cylindrical housing 56 of ~he cartridge 48, over the spring 58, whereby, at the same time, the ejectiny piston 68 o~ the pressure hull 60 is also drawn out of the ejector cylinder.
Thereby, the free sliding piston 45 i.n the pressure hull 60 is drawn into the pressure hull by the amount of reduced volume.
Whe~ the control knob 10 of the pressure hull is released, the entire cartridge 48 is again also pushed back by the spring mechanism 39 into its starting position, whereby the stop boss 43 releases the magnets S1. This is then drawn back by its auxiliary spring 52 to its starting position, as shown in Figure 4, and brouyht to the seating position at the limit stop 54. Thereby, the switch 46, respectively the reed contact, is opened, and the electronics 42 are disconnected. The ~ 03~5-2741 prevailing level of the pressure hull 60, which can be recognized, of course, by the position of the piston 4S in the transparent pressure hull 60, can be observed through the winclow 41.
The embodim~nt version of Figures 4 and 5 has the advantaye over ~he embodiment version of Figures 1 and 2, in tha-t the cartridge can be supplied without magnets and, therefore, can be manufactured less expensively. Therefore, it is more likely to be thrown out after use. The specific embc~climent, according to Figures 1 and 2, can be manufactured less expensively, when the cartridges are refilled and used again, because then the return springs, the guide, as well as the limit stop for the magnets can be eliminated.
~0 ;
Claims (18)
1. An ultrasonic pocket-size atomizer comprising:
a first housing;
vibration generation means mounted liquid-tight in said first housing for generating an oscillation with a frequency in the ultrasonic range said vibration generation means including a piezoelectric assembly and electronic circuit means operatively connected to said assembly for energizing said assembly and causing the piezoelectric assembly to vibrate;
power source means disposed in said first housing for supplying electric current to said electronic circuit means;
a second housing, removably mounted on said first housing;
a cartridge containing liquid to be atomized, said cartridge having at least one section movably disposed in said second housing; and activation means for automatically activating said electronic circuit means upon motion of said section of said cartridge, said activation means including a magnet arranged and configured relative to said section of said cartridge so as to move therewith, said activation means further including a switch operatively connected -to said electronic circuit means and operable by said magnet upon a shift in the position thereof during motion of said section of said cartridge.
a first housing;
vibration generation means mounted liquid-tight in said first housing for generating an oscillation with a frequency in the ultrasonic range said vibration generation means including a piezoelectric assembly and electronic circuit means operatively connected to said assembly for energizing said assembly and causing the piezoelectric assembly to vibrate;
power source means disposed in said first housing for supplying electric current to said electronic circuit means;
a second housing, removably mounted on said first housing;
a cartridge containing liquid to be atomized, said cartridge having at least one section movably disposed in said second housing; and activation means for automatically activating said electronic circuit means upon motion of said section of said cartridge, said activation means including a magnet arranged and configured relative to said section of said cartridge so as to move therewith, said activation means further including a switch operatively connected -to said electronic circuit means and operable by said magnet upon a shift in the position thereof during motion of said section of said cartridge.
2. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said first portion is removably attached to said second housing via a snap-in detent lock.
3. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric assembly is mounted to said first housing by silicone rubber.
4. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric assembly is partially surrounded and attached to said first housing by injection molded synthetic resin material.
5. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric assembly is sealed by O-rings.
6. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoceramic disk and a metal amplitude transformer connected to one another, said amplitude transformer having an atomizer plate with a concavely shaped mirrored surface for receiving a defined quantity of liquid to be atomized.
7. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said section of said cartridge is movable by manually exerted pressure.
8. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said second housing is provided with a window.
9. The atomizer defined in claim 1, further comprising alerting means operatively connected to said electronic circuit means and said storage battery for generating a detectable signal indicating -that said storage battery needs to be recharged.
10. The atomizer defined in claim 9 wherein said alerting means includes a light emitting diode.
11. The atomizer defined in claim 1 wherein said switch is disposed in said first housing and said magnet is disposed with said cartridge in said second housing, said first housing being sealed to be liquid impervious.
12. The atomizer defined in claim l wherein said piezoelectric assembly is partially surrounded and attached to said first housing by injection molded synthetic resin material, said piezoelectric assembly being sealed by O-rings.
13. The atomizer defined in claim 11 wherein said piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoceramic disk and a metal amplitude transformer connected to one another, said amplitude transformer having at an end opposite said piezoceramic disk an atomizer plate with a concavely shaped mirrored surface for receiving a defined quantity of liquid to be atomized.
14. The atomizer of claim 1 wherein said vibration generation means generates an oscillation with a frequency between 1 and 5 MHz.
15. The atomizer of claim 1 wherein said power source means comprises a storage battery removably and rechargeably disposed in said first housing.
16. The atomizer of claim 1 wherein the front end of said cartridge abuts against a spring-loaded limit stop, which spring-loaded limit stop is biased against the direction of movement of said section of the cartridge.
17. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the magnet is permanently attached to said section of the cartridge.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY TEH SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY TEH SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
18. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the magnet is slidably mounted in a groove formed in said first housing, said cartridge including a limit stop engaging and moving the magnet against a biasing spring-like element, upon movement of said section of the cartridge to activate said switch.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19863627222 DE3627222A1 (en) | 1986-08-11 | 1986-08-11 | ULTRASONIC POCKET SPRAYER |
| DEP3627222.1 | 1986-08-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1313098C true CA1313098C (en) | 1993-01-26 |
Family
ID=6307169
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543968A Expired - Fee Related CA1313098C (en) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-08-07 | Ultrasonic pocket atomizer |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4877989A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0258637B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2540462B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE54071T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1313098C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3627222A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2015558B3 (en) |
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-
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- 1986-08-11 DE DE19863627222 patent/DE3627222A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1987
- 1987-07-29 AT AT87111004T patent/ATE54071T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-07-29 DE DE8787111004T patent/DE3763372D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-07-29 ES ES87111004T patent/ES2015558B3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-07-29 EP EP87111004A patent/EP0258637B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-06 JP JP62197233A patent/JP2540462B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-08-07 CA CA000543968A patent/CA1313098C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1989
- 1989-01-12 US US07/296,846 patent/US4877989A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0258637A1 (en) | 1988-03-09 |
| JP2540462B2 (en) | 1996-10-02 |
| ATE54071T1 (en) | 1990-07-15 |
| DE3763372D1 (en) | 1990-08-02 |
| US4877989A (en) | 1989-10-31 |
| EP0258637B1 (en) | 1990-06-27 |
| ES2015558B3 (en) | 1990-09-01 |
| JPS6349271A (en) | 1988-03-02 |
| DE3627222A1 (en) | 1988-02-18 |
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